A healthcare voter primer

The majority of Americans are very concerned about their healthcare, as polls by Kaiser Health and other non-partisan groups reveal. Healthcare may be the number one issue in this election, with good reason. This week, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell called again for cuts to Medicare, Medicaid, and Social Security because the federal deficit is too high—thanks to the Trump Tax Bill, which added $1 trillion to the deficit to pay for massive tax cuts for wealthy individuals and corporations. 

With no Constitutional checks and balances in our current GOP-controlled Federal government, healthcare is on a downward spiral. Too many Republican candidates today, including John Joyce, running for Congress in our new 13th District, are in lock step with Trump, wanting to “shred” the ACA. Healthcare voters need to consider balance in our government, which means voting for Democratic candidates. Brent Ottaway, who opposes Joyce, believes that healthcare is a basic human right. A moderate Democrat, Ottaway is committed to protecting and improving the ACA, Medicaid, and Medicare.  

Senator Casey, a champion for Medicaid and the ACA in the U.S. Senate, is hardly the “sleepy” senator Republicans describe. I have been at meetings where he has called together health care providers and, most important, citizens who have been dramatically affected by bad insurance. Many have been on the verge of bankruptcy and even homelessness due to high medical bills for themselves or their children with severe disabilities or genetic diseases. Casey listens to these people and their compelling stories. He knows how important the ACA and Medicaid are to their lives. He engages other senators, reaching across the aisle to share these people’s stories with others. This healthcare champion is now challenged by a Trump favorite, Lou Barletta. 

At the state level, we are fortunate to have some checks to our Republican-controlled legislature due to a Democratic governor. We can count on Governor Wolf’s vetoing any legislation that threatens our healthcare or women’s reproductive health. But all could change if Scott Wagner, an avid Trump supporter, is elected. Wagner would create havoc for our healthcare.

Only by voting in more Democrats can we save healthcare and achieve affordable coverage for all people, including those with preexisting conditions. If you care about healthcare and good government, please join me in voting for balance. Help vote in a Blue Wave on November 6.

Jeanne Duffy, Ph.D., has served as a college professor, an analyst and project manager for several large companies, and a college administrator in charge of foundation and government support. She is an active member of Gettysburg Democracy for America’s healthcare taskforce.